Mark Milligan scores from the spot to deny Cameroon

By James K. Attaglo Wilson| info@sports24ghana.com

Cameroon’s aim of securing first win at the FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017 was dashed by Mark Milligan’s second half penalty kick as the Indomitable Lions and the Socceroos drew 1-1 in front of a parked 35,000 spectators at the Saint Petersburg Stadium.

Just as the entertaining but absent clear-cut chance game was heading into the dressing room with a 0-0 score line, Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa latched onto a long searching ball to lift it beyond Maty Ryan in post for Australia to give the African champions the lead.

The Aussies [Australia] returned from the break with a more pressing game approach and were rewarded with a penalty in the 60th minute when defender Alex Gersbach was brought down in the box.

Captain for the Asian champions, Mark Milligan stepped forward and deservingly scored from the spot to pull even for his side.

On the reverse angle, Cameroon could have scored two or more goals should Besiktas forward – Vincent Aboubakar had taken the numerous begging opportunities that came his way.

The result leaves both teams on a point each ahead of their final games in Group B against Germany and Chile respectively, and their hopes of reaching the semifinals looks far fetched.

But in reality and mathematically Cameroon and Australia are not totally out of the picture because a respectable win over their next opponents [Germany and Chile] could pave way for them to move to the next phase of the competition.

Meanwhile, Budweiser Player of the Match Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa poured out his disappointment in the post match interview despite harboring the belief that Cameroon can still qualify:

“I am quite disappointed because we had the means to win the match. But nothing is over – we still have a match to go against Germany. There will be pressure, but that is why we do this job,” he said.

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